The News Tribune covered Seattle CityClub’s program on Native youth leadership that was part of our three-part Civic Boot Camp series Native American Leadership in the Salish Sea Region in June 2021.
Three youth leaders advocated for environmental protection, legislation to ban Native mascots and the Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women crisis Friday afternoon, June 11, during the Seattle CityClub’s digital series “Civic Boot Camp,” which explores Native leadership in the Salish Sea Region.
“Their vibrant perspective and visions for the future are of the type that are beautiful to the mind’s eye and below the surface are nourishing to the spirit. Some of what they share about the challenges that they face may act as bitter medicine,” said Rena Priest, who was named Washington’s first Native American poet laureate earlier this year. “As you listen to the concerns and hopes of these young people, please acknowledge how their words are not often given this type of platform.”
The Zoom event was moderated by recent University of Washington graduate Owen Oliver, who is of Quinault and Isleta Pueblo heritage, after a welcome and land acknowledgment by Priest.